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Minor Injuries After School Bus Crashes In St. Paul

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ST. PAUL (WCCO) — None of the kids aboard a school bus were injured after it crashed into a vehicle and ended up in the front yard of a St. Paul home Wednesday.

The bus crashed into a vehicle at Earl and Minnehaha in St. Paul Wednesday afternoon, before driving into a tree and coming to rest. Police say the bus driver ran through a red light and admitted to being distracted.

“All of the sudden I see a flash of orange coming and hit me, right through a red light,” said John Abresch, of Moundsview, who was the driver hit by the bus.

Remarkably, he climbed out of his totaled car with minor injuries. The bus had significant damage, and it also took out a stoplight when it careened into the yard.

“Luckily, the airbag went off. That’s all I remember. It almost knocked me out, but I got out,” said Abresch.

April Naastad lives across the street, and says she saw the bus run the red light. She rushed to help the children off the bus, and says many were crying and shaken.

“The emotions of being a mom kicked in. Ran over grabbing kids, comforting them, making sure they are OK, each one by one,” said Naastad.

None of the 29 students on board were injured. Police say the students go to the St. Paul French Immersion School and were between 7 and 10 years old.

Another bus will picked up the students and brought them home.

“Boy, that was an impact,” said Abresch. “I am happy everybody is OK.”

The bus driver on scene told WCCO he had no comment, nor did his bus company representative on scene, from First Student.